MARK WARBURTON’S first attempt at claiming a Premiership scalp proved a scarring experience.

A 3-1 League Cup defeat by St Johnstone in September provided Rangers with a reality check and pointed at a side that remains a work in progress.

This afternoon at Hampden, a Scottish Cup fourth-round draw could provide another chance for the Light Blues to lock horns with top-flight opposition, including a possible collision against Celtic.

If the balls fall Rangers’ way Warburton will get his wish of another opportunity to enhance their credibility and show his team are a Premiership side in waiting.

He said: “Everyone mentions that St Johnstone game but we have analysed it to death and it was one of those games. We had a lot of the football and didn’t put our chances away. We made a couple of individual errors and got punished on the evening.

“We would enjoy a Premiership tie, absolutely. People can hark back to the St Johnstone game all they want, we just get on with the game.

“We have had a good season to date, we are in good shape, we are confident and whoever we draw we will look forward to it.

“We were prepared then and were on a good run of form, we were scoring goals. It was just a game where we made a couple of individual errors and got punished on the night.

“They scored with a great strike from a corner, a fantastic strike that nine times out of 10 would hit Row X but hit the back of the net. It is one of those things and we learn from it. I don’t mind who we draw, we will look forward to it.”

More pressing is tonight’s Championship clash at home to Dumbarton that could see Rangers move three points clear of Hibs with a win.

Ibrox chairman Dave King has underlined anything less than promotion to the Premiership this season is not an option.

Warburton said: “That was really clear from day one. It was never a secret. We know what our target is and what we have to do.

“I am aware of it, acutely. So are David Weir and the staff and so are the players. They have to enjoy that responsibility. As long as they enjoy it and don’t crumble under it then we will be fine.

“All we can do is keep winning games. All credit to other teams putting runs together, it is hard to do in football. We have 37 points out of 42 and are in a good place right now.”

The Ibrox side dismissed St Mirren 4-0 in the Petrofac Cup semi-final at the weekend but in the league had drawn at Livingston and lost to Hibs.

Warburton, well aware of the unique challenges of being in charge of an Old Firm club, swatted any idea of a slackening in their Championship pace.

He said: “I would love the opportunity to argue with the person who suggested we had lost momentum.”

But he insists there are plenty of pitfalls lying in wait before Hibs arrive in Govan on December 28.

Warburton said: “They’re all challenging fixtures as everyone seems to raise their game. Teams raise their games against Celtic too, so we are aware of it.

Rangers train at Murray Park (Image: SNS)

“Livingston was tough, they put in a great performance. Every week is a tough game, especially at Ibrox as teams can thrive off that so we have to be aware of it.

“I understand people looking at the 28th. But there’s no point looking at the 28th if we lose two or three games in the meantime.

“I expect Rangers to be prepared for every game we play, I expect Rangers to go into them and have a good level of performance and get the right result. Other teams, all credit to them if they put runs together. But my focus is here.”

The transfer window opens at the start of next month and Warburton says any new recruits will be players of Premiership standard as well as providing cover for any eventuality.

He said: “It’s more the ‘what if’ scenarios. So if we do get injuries or suspensions we have to make sure we have adequate cover.

“Yes, we could bring in a young guy as cover and I am sure he would work his socks off but we are talking about specific targets who can play next season. We said we wanted people here who want to take the club forward. If they don’t want to be part of that project then we move on. We have to stand by that.

“We have to be honest, if we can’t afford a player we can’t afford them. We need to add quality, not just numbers. It would need to be quality we don’t currently possess.”

Rangers have handed a trial to Moroccan Under-20 striker Tarik Fagrach, freed by Feyenoord’s academy after a bust-up with coach Jan Gosgens.

Warburton said: “He’s in training but with the academy. No more than that, we certainly haven’t signed him.”

The rebuilding continues. Warburton joked in response to a question about when he’ll consider his job done. He said: “Champions League Final. You have to aim high don’t you?”